Toyota: Road to Recall

[Chukpike]

It seems like last year a lot of people were more than happy to see US automakers GM and Chrysler headed for bankruptcy. Now with Toyota getting "caught" covering up dangerous problems, does that suggest Toyota is just another lousy business model?


Toyota gets intense new U.S. scrutiny
"In an extraordinary challenge to Toyota Motor Corp., federal regulators Tuesday launched three far-reaching investigations into both the timeliness and the adequacy of the company's recalls for problems that can cause sudden acceleration in its vehicles."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-sg,0,5559025.storygallery

 

[A Can of Man]

I think it is a bit different from being a flawed "business model."
They screwed up big time regarding quality control, which is VERY unlike Toyota. A bad business model would be more like a company that has trouble staying in business because its cars do not sell even when there is nothing wrong with them (for any number of reasons). Assuming of course, that the reason it cannot sell the cars is not due to unfair tariffs or other legal matters.

 

[Chukpike]

People don't realize 30 years ago GM was living on its reputation. Turning out a product that was better than the tin Japanese products. In the last ten years GM and Ford have reversed their poor quality and now it seems Toyota has been living on its reputation for the last 4 or 5 years.

Years ago Datsun wanted to change their poor image and changed their name to Nissan. KIA still suffers from a poor rep in the US.

Foreign companies can screen or ignore US government regulations easier than American manufactures. This is noted by the fact that the US government is only now trying to find out how long ago Toyota new of the problems.